"It's obviously one that'll be in the AFL and AFLPA's (players association) hands.

"I'm thankful my ankle did go, because if it didn't it might have been my knee."

While Menzel told Channel Seven post-game he thought he had torn his ligaments and he "could barely walk", the Cats were uncertain whether the injury was that serious, with Cats coach Chris Scott hopeful he had made a lucky escape.

"He rolled his ankle early in the game and looked a little sore, but he came back and played really well so we're optimistic that that will be OK," Scott said.

Reflecting on Menzel's performance, Scott said he had to resist the temptation to wonder what might have been if Menzel had not missed four years of football.

"It is exciting for us when we see him play like that but I have to say that I do think about what could have been over the last few years," Scott said.

"You try to move on from that pretty quickly and focus on what he can actually give us now."

What he gave the Cats on Saturday night was four goals and a spark inside 50. He did not play against Carlton and was missed, but in his first game at Etihad Stadium since round 15, 2011, he turned it on.

"He's a powerful one-on-one player," Scott said.

"Often with those guys it's obvious when they win it and they break away but he is pretty good and neutralizes contests as well."